Branch 1111 Officers for the New Term

Greater East Bay Branch 1111 News Volume 41 Number 472

December 2021

BRANCH 1111 WISHES ALL ITS MEMBERS A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

BRANCH 1111 INSTALLS ITS OFFICERS FOR THE NEW TERM

Branch 1111 News

December 2021

NALC HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN SERVICE LINES General Claims Inquiries Hospital Precertification (Required) Prerecorded Benefits Information Prescription Customer Service Line

1-888- 636-NALC 1-800-622-6252 1-888-636-NALC 1-800-933-NALC

BRANCH PAPER DEADLINE The deadline for copy for Branch 1111 News is the 5th of each month. News stories, articles, letters, drawings, or cartoons, as well as photographs -- either recent or historical -should be submitted to the Branch office. Short notices of personal or shop floor interest are especially welcome. The Editor and Assistant Editor retain the right to edit, delete, or reject articles and artwork for the good of the Branch.

BRANCH 1111 OFFICERS Edward P. Fletcher, President Jose Ochoa, Executive Vice President Narciso Paderanga, First Vice President Francisco Cabrera, Second Vice President Mary Abante, Third Vice President Terrence Super, Fourth Vice President John Ferreira, Secretary-Treasurer Mary Phelps, Asst. Sec-Treasurer Keith Massey, Sgt-at-Arms Jacob Morgan, Insurance Officer Rickie Cox, Trustee Jerry DePoe, Trustee Ron Jones, Trustee

Greater East Bay Branch 1111 News Branch 1111 News is the official monthly publication of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Greater East Bay Branch 1111. Circulation 3,000 Offices Served:

Alameda, Alamo, Antioch, Benicia, Berkeley, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Crockett, Danville, El Cerrito, Fairfield, Fremont, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakland, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, Richmond, Rodeo-Hercules, San Lorenzo, San Ramon, Suisun City, Union City, Vallejo, Walnut Creek

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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS

Elizabeth Corriea, Marisela Fletcher, Ray Garcia, Irene Liljedahl, Shana Lum, Joshua Pearl, Frances Rodriguez-Swint

BRANCH 1111 OFFICE HOURS Monday-Friday: 8 am to 5 pm 402 – 37th Street Richmond, Ca. 94805- 2134 510-237-5111, Fax 510-237-5181

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/nalcbranch1111 WEBSITE: www.Branch1111.org Meetings are held every fourth Tuesday of the month except in December

BRANCH 1111 NEWS STAFF Editor - Joshua Pearl: joshpbranch1111@gmail.com Assistant Editor – John Jekabson: jjbranch1111@gmail.com Contributors -- Ed Fletcher, Jose Ochoa, John Ferreira, Narciso Paderanga, Mary Abante, Liz Corriea, Ron Jones, Jerry DePoe, Francisco Cabrera, Mary Phelps, Terrence Super, Keith Massey, Jacob Morgan.

Views expressed in Branch 1111 News do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor, Assistant Editor, Branch Officers, or members of National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 1111

December 2021

Branch 1111 News

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

Officer for the upcoming two year term were sworn in last month. NALC Region One Officer James Henry did the installation honors. The meeting was both In-Person, and through Zoom. Refreshments were served. It was only our second in-person meeting this year and members were glad to see and talk with friends and acquaintances again.

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU

Shana Lum, newly elected to the Executive Council

The following carriers retired recently: Sylvia Leung of Fremont, Shari Tatum-Biagas of Walnut Creek, Prescilla Manawatao of Martinez, Ana Sanchez of Lafayette, and John Witt of Livermore. We wish many years of leisure to all.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS Now is the time to think about available scholarships for family members for the upcoming college year. The Branch 1111 Katherine Ellis Memorial Scholarship form is printed on page 8. The Saxsenmeier Scholarship application was in the October issue. It is also available through the California State web site: csalc.org. Make sure you look at the deadlines and apply in time.

Combined Federal Campaign As federal employees, letter carriers can make charitable donations through the world’s largest annual workplace giving program, the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), through deductions from our paychecks.

Pledges made by donors during the campaign season support eligible non-profit organizations chosen by the donor.

The 2021 campaign begins on September. 1, 2021 and ends on January 15, 2022.

CFC makes it easy for all federal employees to donate online and giving federal retirees an easy option for donating through deductions from their annuities. To donate online, an employee needs to register an account at givecfc.org.

Carriers can choose the charity or group of charities they want to support from a list of more than 2,000 eligible charities, and an amount they choose will be deducted from their paychecks each pay period and automatically sent to each charity.

Michael Chavez, veteran and active retiree attending the November Branch meeting

DUES INCREASE COMING

Branch 1111 hasn’t had a dues increase in the past two years and there will be one in 2022. The per paycheck deduction will increase from $33.80 to $36.46.

Piedmont carrier Ron Bautista with one solution for the current staffing shortages 3

December 2021

Branch 1111 News

A December to Remember, or Not?

By Edward P. Fletcher, President

We are now in December of 2021. It has been about 20 months since March of 2020 when we were told about a horrible virus known as COVID-19. Shortly thereafter, safety and lockdown restrictions were issued. Only essential employees, including Letter Carriers, were directed to continue working to provide our nation with much needed supplies, medicines and even food.

In December of 2020 and due to the coronavirus, NALC President Fredric V. Rolando issued an order granting dispensation to NALC Branches for meetings, elections and other union activities. A year later, on December 6, 2021, he has issued yet another dispensation order to protect the safety and health of all union members on the NALC.org website.

Branch 1111 Meetings As I have previously reported and until further notice, Branch 1111 will hold “Hybrid Branch Meetings.” The next Branch meeting will be on January 25, 2021.

As a reminder for those who choose to attend in-person meetings, the Executive Council’s COVID-19 recommendations that were adopted by the Branch will be followed. All attendees are to wear masks indoors, must be vaccinated, use hand sanitizers and if asked, agree to have their temperatures taken.

It is our hope that 2022 will bring better days for all of us as we move forward in strength and unionism.

Thanking Our Stewards, Part 2 As I stated in my last article, the most difficult job in the Postal Service, is being a letter carrier Shop Steward. They take on all issues; whether good, bad or somewhere in between, and fight to protect our rights. I would also like to thank Chris Martinez out of Oakland, Airport Post Office. He has done an outstanding job as Shop Steward and the “Lone Ranger” for his station.

Perseverance Requires Courageousness I am very proud of our brothers and sisters who continue to show up to work, day in and day out, regardless of the extreme conditions we face. Such as the extreme mental and physical conditions of working with a global pandemic, the extreme understaffing of all Postal Installations, the extreme mandatory overtime, the extreme short-sightedness of the USPS and their failure to permanently address and fix these issues.

There is no excuse for these terrible conditions. The blame lies solely on the shoulders of the USPS top brass. If not corrected, their failures will continue to weaken and/or destroy the USPS’s unique and essential delivery infrastructure, provide less or no service to our customers as well as hurting our economy by reducing middle class jobs.

As Letter Carriers and union leaders, we must take the courageous steps necessary to protect our jobs and the communities we serve. We can do this by showing up for our customers each day, by giving to the Letter Carrier Political Fund, by following the advice of our National President, by attending union meetings, by becoming a Shop Steward and enforcing our Contract, and by supporting candidates that support the Postal Service and our jobs.

Thank you for your courage and hard work!

Happy Holidays!

Protecting Our Letter Carriers In the Oakland Post Office alone in 2021, we have had more than a dozen felony robberies of our Letter Carriers. In some of the incidents, guns were either shown or pointed at our carriers. In other cases, it was stated and/or under their clothing.

In one case, one of our carriers was physically held by the perpetrators. In most cases, the robberies occurred when the carriers were at or near their vehicles. At least one of them occurred in the middle of a section. The Union, Management and the Postal Inspectors continue to give safety and awareness stand-up talks. The Postal Inspectors have been out in the field pursuing these criminals, and held a sting operation. I was also told that three arrests have been made.

As always, carriers are told to report any suspicious activity and if robbery is being perpetrated against them, to cooperate and not put their own safety and health at risk. We want all of these criminals who prey on letter carriers or any other members of our communities to be held accountable and brought to justice.

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Regional Administrative Assistant James Henry congratulates President Edward Fletcher after the installation ceremony at the November meeting

December 2021

Why Did I Become A Shop Steward?

By Jose Ochoa, Executive Vice President

When I first joined the USPS in 1984, I thought I was going to be working for an agency run by highly trained professionals that appreciated and cared for its workers. Soon, I found out how wrong I was.

A few weeks after I began working in the Menlo Park Post Office, I witnessed the abusive and vindictive conduct of the supervisors and managers alike.

I could hear many of my fellow carriers complaining, asking for someone to intervene and help stop the hostility.

I remember our steward Ron..? During a station meeting asking for volunteers to become stewards and help with the load.

Then, I looked at the same carriers that complained the most, all making excuses like I fear retaliation; I wouldn’t be able to represent the carriers I don’t like; I don’t have time; and I have a family.

I told Ron that I will do it. He looked at me and asked why do you want to be a steward? I responded, if I wanted to be disrespected, yelled at and treated like shit, I would have remained where I came from! So the rest is history.

Why I am telling you this more than 30 years later?

Well, we have offices where fellow carriers constantly complain about Management and/or about the current Shop Steward. But none of them have the backbone or cojones to step in and effect a change, just complaints!

Did you forget that we are all letter carriers? Don’t you know that in unity and solidarity, we have strength? Do you think you can do a better job, offer better representation? Then put your fears aside and step in, the water is fine! You, I, all of us are the UNION. We need stewards in the following offices; San Ramon, Danville, Orinda, and Berkeley Elmwood. It could be YOU! I want to thank you again for your support, loyalty and friendship.

Branch 1111 News The danger that lurks is the unknown. At any time you’re setting yourself up to be an unforeseeable target for danger. The California State Law requires that you must always wear your seat belt while in motion. We letter carriers are not exempt from this law, and we can be ticketed for this action if a police officer wants to give us a ticket for not wearing our seat belt while in motion.

So please do the right thing and wear your seat belt while driving your postal vehicle, or in fact, all vehicles that you may be driving.

PS 3971 Just a reminder that it is your responsibility to fill out a PS Form 3971 upon return to work from being sick. Recently it was brought to my attention that a carrier was given a pile of his PS 3971 and was signing them without validating if he indeed was truly absent or not. If this should happen to you, you should request your ETC (Employee Everything Report) which will verify if you were at work or not.

Don’t let Management fool you, know your rights. Also get your copy, even though Management is supposed to provide you a copy right then. I would always ask for a copy, because we have a lot of uneducated supervisors who don’t know what they are supposed to do.

BERKELEY BLUES NEWS! Things having been looking a lot better for the carriers in Berkeley, due to the fact that we have an OIC (Officer in Charge). There has been some improvements, but it’s lot to tackle, and it will take some time to actually see how much better. However, there are some bullies still around who are very influential and that needs to be addressed. It’s only a matter of time, that with the help we’re getting, that may be fixed as well.

Hang in there Berkeley Carriers, you’ve dealt with some horrible situations, and now we can hopefully start preparing for some positive changes. We are not out of the woods yet, but we must unite together and protect our brother and sisters from further abuse like that we had been dealing with prior to our new OIC’s arrival.

Knowledge is Power!

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!

WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT

By Berkeley Chief Shop Steward, Liz Corriea

We should always put safety first in our everyday lives, from the time we wake up until we lay our heads down in bed.

What really surprises me is how easily you can spot a letter carrier not wearing their seat belt while operating their postal vehicle. Why that is? Its unknown. And yet you find those same carriers driving their own personal car using their set belt.

Somehow, perhaps they may think it’s easier to drive without a seat belt, but it is surely more unsafe and riskier.

Irene Liljedahl, Jose Ochoa and Liz Carriea at last month’s Branch meeting

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Branch 1111 News

REMEDIES CHALLENGED DISTRICT COURT RULING

By Narciso Paderanga, IV, First Vice President

The following is a part of a transcript of a bench ruling before the Honorable Tanya S. Chutkan, United States District Judge, in July of 2021 regarding remedies which the USPS claimed was punitive and illegal.

“This court will follow the lead of the United States Supreme Court and the D.C. Circuit, which have both held that arbitrators may look beyond the explicit text of the agreement in fashioning an appropriate remedy.

For one, the CBA here is silent as to the remedies available to the arbitrator, and surely an arbitrator is permitted to order a remedy that is not expressly detailed in the CBA when the CBA doesn't discuss any remedies.

In any event, a federal court is not authorized to override an arbitrator's interpretation of a CBA if it disagrees with the arbitrator's approach or would have reached a different conclusion. An arbitral award must be upheld if the arbitrator's decision is arguably applying the CBA. To that end, Arbitrator Roberts did not exceed his authority in ordering USPS to pay punitive damages.

As I discussed previously, rulings from the Supreme Court and the D.C. Circuit generally permit an arbitrator to go beyond the bounds of the CBA in fashioning a remedy, allowing him to look to industry common law and practice between the parties.

Citing arbitral precedent, Arbitrator Roberts noted that "it is generally accepted in labor arbitration that a damage award arising from a violation of the collective bargaining agreement should be limited to the amount necessary to make the injured employee whole." I'm quoting from ECF No. 1418 at 18.

However, Arbitrator Roberts reasoned that this does not mean that punitive awards are always prohibited. He then expressed the opinion that punitive damages were appropriate here given that a straightforward "cease and desist order cannot be simply ignored, as it was in this case."

Thus, he concluded that USPS's failure to abide by the Step B settlements reached the level of "willful and malicious and clearly represents bad faith bargaining." Even if the Court disagreed with this conclusion, it would be in no position to disturb the Roberts Award. The arbitrator's analysis is consistent with arbitral precedent and past practice between the parties in which punitive damages were ordered for willful, malicious conduct.

Indeed, Arbitrator Roberts' approach is consistent with the past practice of the parties. An extensive body of prior arbitration cases between the parties demonstrates a practice 6

November 2021

of the USPS paying a penalty for its noncompliance with grievance resolutions under the CBA, and those are set forth in ECF 14, Exhibits EE to RR. Therefore, Arbitrator Roberts' approach is consistent with D.C. Circuit precedent and, thus, will not be disturbed by this court. The Court, therefore, finds that Arbitrator Roberts did not overstep the bounds of his authority in ordering USPS to pay punitive damages.”

After reading this several times, it still sounds like music to my ears. The USPS attempted to vacate a decision made by an arbitrator relevant to a more appropriate compensatory remedy due to lack of compliance but was unsuccessful.

U. S. District Court Judge Chutkan first referred to the Postal Reorganization Act (PRA) which Congress passed in 1970 that resulted in the USPS being “a self-sustaining system whose revenue comes from the sale of its products as opposed to tax revenue” which “also gives USPS the power to sue and be sued in its name and provides for collective bargaining. Therefore, the USPS is not shielded under the doctrine of sovereign immunity, which prohibits it from being subject to punitive awards. Then Judge Chutkan addressed the CBA for which both parties agreed to, stating in part, that her reasoning was based on those.

We all know that management has and will continue to violate the contract on a daily basis. A lot of its violations are continuous and repetitive. I encourage all our hard-working Stewards to continue the fight for our brothers’ and sisters’ rights and benefits; to request for additional appropriate compensatory remedies for non-compliance and repetitive violations. To that end, I encourage all our brothers and sisters to unite as one harmonious body.

For more information on the decision mentioned above, go to nalc.org and search for M-01967.

Have a safe and Happy Holidays!

Narcisio Padarenga (left) congratulating his fellow Full-Time Officers Jose Ochoa and Ed Fletcher on being installed for a new term

December 2021

The Glass is Still Half Full

By Terrence Lee Super, Fourth Vice President

One of the first things I learned from my fellow FullTime Officers is that, through all this crap we go through with Management and other things we can easily complain about when it comes to the USPS, is that we have to look at the glass being half full.

What this popular saying means is that we can talk a whole bunch of the negative things in general or in this case the Postal Service. But the only thing that’s going to make anything any better is that we have to try to look at the positive things or the silver lining. I know it’s hard to even say something like that or think it because it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. However, I know a lot of carriers currently working and retired who have many positive things to say about the Postal Service.

For one thing, retired carriers have said to me personally that they have been able to send their kids through college.

They have also been able to buy nice houses, cars and other things that others may not be able to afford.

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not always about the money for some people. Carriers don’t want to spend 14 hours a day delivering mail in the middle of peak season., but please try to remember the above saying of the glass still being half full. Believe me, I know this sounds cliché, but through this Covid 19 pandemic a lot of people lost their businesses, their jobs, and some had even lost their homes. Yet, we as Letter Carriers were still working through it all and thriving.

In fact, a lot of you were able to donate cash to the Food Drive because remember, they had to cancel one of the most appreciated programs in the World (Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive), collecting tons of food for the less fortunate because of the Covid 19 outbreak! We were able to help others because we still had jobs through the current difficult time.

That’s what I mean by looking at the glass half full when it comes to the Postal Service.

It’s not as bad as we think when we look at it with that perspective. Does the Postal Service need to change the way it does things? Of course! But in order to not get so frustrated when it doesn’t happen the way we want, we have to look at it with a different lens. Again, don’t get me wrong! I will continue to hold Management accountable for violating your

Branch 1111 News contractual rights, and I will continue to fight for the carriers who think they don’t have a voice. All I am saying is that we all have a part in making sure our jobs and rights are protected, but in order to do that we have to stop being so negative about everything when it comes to the Post Office.

We all know that things need to change but are we going to keep complaining or actually try and change them? We need all of you to do that, and we believe in you because without you carriers, there is no Postal Service, and it’s as simple as that!

I know all of you are exhausted and sick of working these longs days but please hang in there. We are frustrated as well but we are definitely not going to give up on our members by continuing to fight for what we all want, -- “good quality of life!” We want you to be able to see your families instead of being on the street all night delivering mail. We will not give up until that happens!

Love you all, be safe.

Newly elected Third Vice President Mary Abante thanks Branch members for their support

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Branch 1111 News

December 2021

NALC BRANCH 1111 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Applications are being accepted for the Branch 1111 Katherine Ellis Memorial Scholarship.

Applicants must submit the form provided below no later than February 28, 2022 Eligibility requirements: 1) The applicant must be a member of the graduating class of 2021-2022 2) The applicant must be so or daughter or legally adopted child/ stepchild of a member in good standing with Branch 1111.

Any questions about the scholarship should be referred to John Ferreira of the Scholarship Committee at: 510-237-5111 Date______________

(Please print clearly)

Please send instructions as to how I can compete for the Scholarship Award.

I will be a senior in the year 2021-2022 I am the child of (active) (retired) or (deceased) member ___________________________________ (name) My Name is ____________________________________________ My Home Address is _____________________________________________________________________ My Social Security Number is ______-____-______ Signature of NALC Parent______________________ Office/Station of Parent Member _______________________ Branch Official _______________________ NALC Parent’s Social Security Number______-____-______ Title______________ Date______________

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December 2021

As Pressure Builds to Fire DeJoy, Post Office Struggles to Meet Holiday Demand

By Jalen Small, reprinted from Newsweek

As Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's 10-year plan grinds into effect with higher rates and slower service during the critical holiday mailing season, pressure is growing on President Biden to replace him.

Having just appointed two new members to the Board of Governors of the Postal Service, that move now appears to be within his grasp.

But what ails the Post Office is bigger than DeJoy, and it started long before he did.

"If you think getting rid of him solves the problem, it doesn't," Mark Jamison, a military veteran and retired postmaster from North Carolina, told Newsweek. "The problem is much deeper than DeJoy."

Problems Started Long Before He said DeJoy is just continuing a process that started long before him. "But the fact of the matter is, a lot of the things he did was just piggybacking on things that had been put in effect in the early 2000s," Jamison added.

Under former Postmaster Patrick Donahoe, who served from 2010 to 2015, the Service reduced many remote post offices from full time to part time, he said. They reduced hours, reduced the position of the postmaster in charge, and the result was less contact with the community.

It was all part of a plan to make the Postal Service operate less like a service and more like a business, Jamison said.

"In my community the post office was the town center," he said. "That's where everybody meets, talks and gets to know each other. That's definitely less the case now than it was. As time went on," he added, "especially after Patrick Donahoe became Postmaster, it became about managing numbers, not anything about people. And it's evolved into much worse than that."

Since 2011, hundreds of offices have been closed, predominantly in rural areas that receive less daily foot traffic.

While it is in the public spotlight now, these closures and shutdowns have been happening with regularity throughout the last decade. The 10-year plan is just an extension of a decadeslong plan, Jamison said.

With roots in pre-colonial times, the USPS is the only federal agency named in the Constitution. It has always been an essential American institution. The key to its long-term success has been a universal service obligation and a diverse, committed workforce, postal expert and author Chris Shaw told Newsweek.

The Postal Service has long been the largest employer of both military veterans and African Americans in. Today, there are 633,108 postal workers stationed in offices across all 50 states. Twenty-three percent of the workforce identifies as Black or African American, and it employs about 73,000 veterans.

Branch 1111 News The Post Office performs other key functions. In addition to delivering the mail, including prescription pickups, filling money orders and serving as a source of reliable information for the local community.

"In a lot of rural America, it's the only contact a lot of people have with the federal government that's face to face," Jamison said. "So, you end up helping people with a lot of other things just because you know the system."

These varied services are part of the reason that Americans rate the USPS as the most popular federal institution, according to Pew Research. But many of those appointed to positions of leadership in the Post Office have tried to move away from the community-centered model that is the basis of its popularity.

While it may slightly improve profit margins, the policy changes in the 10-year plan will create tangible consequences for postal customers, local communities and small businesses that rely on the service, Steve Hutkins, founder of the “Save the USPS“website, told Newsweek.

"Some things can be particularly problematic," he said, "like if you're waiting for your Social Security check or you're waiting for medications, or it's a question of ballots voting by mail, then the speed of the mail is even more significant.

"The USPS has always been about delivering it [the mail] as fast as possible," Hutkins said. "That's why they have done everything they can to work 24 hours a day. It's all about how fast you can move it. So, when the Postmaster General comes along and says we're going to intentionally slow down the mail by a day or two, that's a big deal."

The Post Office is the oldest federal agency, older than the nation itself, formed by Benjamin Franklin in 1775, the year before the Declaration of Independence. Contrary to the claims of its critics, its operations are not funded by U.S. taxpayers, but by the fees it charges its customers for its services.

But despite its relative independence, it is still subject to the force of political tides.

"The future of the Post Office depends a lot on how our democracy evolves," Jamison said. "USPS supports democracy and the free exchange of information. If this country surrenders its will to be democratic, then the Postal Service will be nothing but a delivery business."

More than 600,000 Employees "It's more than that," he added. And it certainly is more than that to its more than 600,000 employees.

"The Postal Service had a culture of service," Jamison said.

"You got to know your customers and were more than just somebody who delivered the mail. They've tried to force that out because that doesn't make money or revenue."

But a USPS official told Newsweek the Post Office is still committed to service.

"No matter who's in charge or what's going on, we deliver every day," Xavier Hernandez, a USPS strategic communications specialist, told Newsweek. "It was formed in 1775 under Benjamin Franklin, and we've continued to evolve from that point,"' he said. "Shifting how we serve communities, shifting how we deliver and provide postal services, it's something that we continue to evolve with, and look forward to doing for the next 250 years."

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Branch 1111 News

Plans to Give You Hope and a Future

By Francisco Cabrera, Second Vice President

As we end an eventful year and start a new one lets recap some of the highlights of 2021 (not necessarily in chronological order).

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We exhausted the FFCRA Leave for COVID related reasons.

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We received and used the Emergency Federal Employee Leave provision in the American Rescue Plan Act.

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Sporting events made a big comeback due to the pandemic.

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We ratified a new National Agreement with the USPS.

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Many received and continue to receive another round of stimulus payments.

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Postmaster General Louis DeJoy rolled out his 10 year plan.

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We continued to fight for our rights amid the pandemic.

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We endured continuing supply chain issues.

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We were promised new vehicles, again.

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We got new scanners.

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We had Branch elections.

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Some of us lost loved ones and some of us gained love ones

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Postmaster General Louis Dejoy issued me an apology for the “Pubic Service” Veteran Award.

“Good afternoon Mr. Cabrera I apologize for the error on the veteran’s “Thank You” backer card. It was not the intent of the organization to insult or disrespect any of our employees and for that we are deeply sorry.

On November 5, we were made aware of an error the vendor made while producing the veteran’s “Thank You” backer cards. At that time, we communicated with our business partners to stop the distribution of the

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cards. We worked with Supply Management and the vendor to correct the error. On Monday, November 8, new corrected “Thank You” backer cards (at no cost to the United States Postal Service), were produced and distributed to the organization to replace the original erroneous card.

We are extremely regretful this error occurred and apologize to our veteran community and our Postal Service employees.

Thank you, Jeryl (Signed) Jeryl A Wilson (she, her, hers) Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion United States Postal Service 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW ROOM 1831” All in all you remained steadfast, dedicated, safe, and did your very best to live up to your oath to the USPS as well as the NALC. What is that oath you may ask?

Here it is: Do you, in the presence of these witnesses, pledge loyalty to the laws of the National Association of Letter Carriers now in force, and those that may be adopted in the future, assist in promoting the welfare and progress of the Association and endeavor to practice and maintain the principles upon which it was formed, wrong no member or see no one wronged if you can prevent it, and that you promise all this as one who loves your country, abides by your voluntary agreements an d cherishes the goodwill of others?

As you, the City Letter Carriers, continue to carry the Postal Service through this labor intensive Holiday mailing season remember the gratitude of the American public you serve, of the Union that represents you and of your family that cherishes you.

“Thank you. You are the Lifeblood of the Postal Service”

Francisco Cabrera and all Branch Officers repeating the NALC pledge at the November Installation meeting

December 2021

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NALC Branch 1111 Balance Sheet As of November 30, 2021 ASSETS Current Assets Bank Accounts 100 - Petty Cash 213.96 126 PPCU-50 166,299.01 Mechanics Bank Accounts 250,096.29 PPCU-Acct 70 25,632.44 United Bank Accounts 190,200.19 Total Bank Accounts $632,441.89 Other Current Assets Total Current Other Assets 38,902.41 Total Current Assets $671,344.30 Fixed Assets 189 - Accumulated Depreciation -142,194.57 190 - Accum Deprec - Furn./Eq. -68,743.00 191 - Accum Deprec - Computer Eq. -11,561.00 192 - Accum Deprec - Copier -6,896.60 193 - Accum Deprec - Building/Improv-153,573.66 197 - Accum Deprec - Storage Shed -430.00 198 - Accum Deprec – Prior -61,391.17 Total Fixed Assets $ 404,014.56 TOTAL ASSETS $1,075,358.86

Branch 1111 News LIABILITIES & EQUITY Total Liabilities Net Revenue 3900 Unrestricted Net Assets Equity

-654.04 -62,302.42 1,138,315.90 $1,076,012.90

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$1,075,358.86

National Assigned Advocate and Concord member Chris Calica attending the November Branch Meeting

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS GREATER EAST BAY BRANCH 1111 402 –37TH STREET RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94805- 2134 (510) 237-5111

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

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Alameda Antioch Benicia Brentwood Brentwood Crockett El Cerrito El Cerrito Fremont Fremont Fremont Livermore Martinez Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Oakland Pinole Pinole Pinole Pittsburg Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond Richmond Rodeo-Hercules San Ramon Suisun City Vallejo Walnut Creek

Oakland West Grand Carrier Annex Million Mile Club Members Jay Tsia, Leticia Rodrigues, Ron Jones and Oscar Diaz (kneeling)

Reminder: There will be no December meeting The next Branch meeting will be held January 25, 2022